Japanese PM to visit US next week on ties

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the United States next week from February 21 to 24, local media reported Friday, citing Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

The postponed US trip by Abe aims at restoring and enhancing the Japan-US alliance, which the prime minister called as the core of Japan's foreign policies.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will accompany Abe to visit Washington, ?Kyodo News Agency reported, citing the top spokesman.

Abe will meet with US President Barack Obama on February 22 in Washington, said Suga, adding the two leaders will also exchange views on regional affairs, especially the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Abe planned to visit the United States in January but the trip was delayed due to Obama's busy agenda in the month.